AARP Oklahoma applauds the settlement filed today between OG&E and parties to the case, including AARP. The settlement halts a proposed $77.6 million per year rate increase, and as importantly, rejects a proposed 70 percent increase of the customer monthly charge, which is a substantial win for residential ratepayers.

AARP Oklahoma is calling on members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to reject OG&E’s requested $77.6 million per year electric rate increase which would raise the average residential customer’s bill by more than $90 per year. Among other components of the rate increase, the utility company is requesting a 70 percent increase in the monthly fixed charge paid by customers, which is the fee customers pay before they even turn on their lights.

AARP Oklahoma has recognized four legislative leaders who have significantly contributed to AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they age and live independently with dignity and purpose. The 2019 AARP Legislative Leadership awards were presented to State Sen. Kim David (R) of Porter, State Sen. Stephanie Bice (R) of Oklahoma City, State Rep. Harold Wright (R) of Weatherford and State Rep. Tammy West (R) of Bethany during the annual AARP Oklahoma Advocacy Day at the Oklahoma Capitol on March 14.

Oklahoma ranks among the worst in the nation on several measures of quality of care in nursing homes. This must stop! AARP Oklahoma has created the Nursing Home CARE Plan which is a series of bills that begin to correct the ways in which our state’s most frail and vulnerable are cared for:

Our state is experiencing a health care crisis and there is no sign of that letting up. While physicians play an important role, it is a variety of professional nurses who provide care for us at all levels. SB 839 would allow our Nurse Practitioners to practice to their full education and training while SB 801 would remove an antiquated requirement for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists that is threatening rural hospitals from being able to provide surgeries.

Oklahoma ranks first in the nation in the use of antipsychotic drugs without a psychiatric diagnosis in nursing home residents. Oklahoma nursing home records show one in five residents are inappropriately prescribed antipsychotics despite the medications' serious side effects. Instead of treating our nursing home residents with respect and dignity, and providing proper care, our nursing home owners simply sedate them with drugs that carry dangerous and deadly side effects. Chemical restraint of our seniors must be stopped.

Year after year, Oklahoma nursing home care ranks among the worst in the nation. Now, a News on 6 investigation, Oklahoma Nursing Homes Rank Among Worst in Nation, underscores the severity of the problem. Watch the special report HERE.

AARP Oklahoma and The Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter today announced support for Senate Bill 142. SB 142, introduced by Senator Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma City) and Representative Tammy West (R-Bethany), will require a nursing home resident to have a psychiatric diagnosis prior to the prescription of antipsychotic medications.